Advances in Internal Logistics and Material Handling for Smart Manufacturing

Dear Colleagues,

The manufacturing industry is undergoing a rapid transformation driven by the advent of Industry 4.0, automation, and smart technologies. In this context, internal logistics and material handling play a crucial role in improving operational efficiency, reducing costs, and ensuring seamless production processes. The increasing complexity of modern production environments requires innovative approaches to managing the flow of materials, optimizing warehouse operations, and integrating flexible logistics systems.

This Special Issue presents cutting-edge research and practical applications in the fields of internal logistics, material handling, and intra-factory transportation. We invite high-quality contributions that explore the development and implementation of new technologies, data-driven strategies, and sustainable practices that enhance the efficiency and adaptability of logistics systems within manufacturing plants.

Topics of Interest 

We welcome both theoretical and empirical contributions relating, but not limited, to the following topics:

• Automation in Internal Logistics: The role of automation technologies such as robotics, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), and drones is increasingly important in internal logistics. Contributions in this area can focus on the design, optimization, and integration of these systems in material handling, intra-factory transportation, and warehouse operations. Special attention can be given to novel algorithms for route planning, task scheduling, and the interaction between automated systems and manual processes, as well as the challenges relating to safety, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Smart Warehousing: As factories evolve into smart environments, warehouses must also adapt by incorporating advanced technologies like RFID, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and AI-based management systems. Topics here include innovations in inventory tracking, automated picking systems, intelligent sorting algorithms, and real-time warehouse management systems (WMSs) that leverage data analytics to optimize space utilization, reduce lead times, and improve decision making. Contributions may also explore how smart warehousing contributes to improving order accuracy and reducing operational costs.
• Data-Driven Logistics: The integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data in internal logistics is transforming decision-making processes. Contributions in this area may explore predictive analytics for demand forecasting, inventory management, and route optimization. Additionally, studies could investigate how real-time data from sensors, machines, and logistics systems can be harnessed to predict bottlenecks, perform predictive maintenance, and optimize resource allocation, with a focus on enhancing both efficiency and flexibility in logistics operations.
• Integration of Cyber–Physical Systems: Cyber–physical systems (CPSs) in internal logistics involve the seamless integration of physical machines and digital systems to create fully automated and interconnected factories. Contributions in this field may explore how this integration can enable real-time monitoring, dynamic adaptation of logistics operations, and better communication between logistics systems and production lines. Key areas of interest may include the development of platforms that support this integration, such as digital twins, real-time control architectures, and advanced simulation tools for logistics optimization.
• Human Interaction in Material Handling: Despite the increasing automation of logistics operations, human workers still play a crucial role, especially in environments where flexibility and manual dexterity are needed. This topic focuses on the design of material handling systems that enhance productivity and safety for workers. Studies may explore ergonomic solutions for reducing physical strain, interfaces that support intuitive human–machine collaboration, and training programs that help workers adapt to new technologies, including the use of augmented reality (AR) in material handling tasks. 
• Sustainability in Intra-factory Logistics: The environmental impact of logistics operations within factories is a growing concern. Research in this area may examine energy-efficient solutions, such as the use of renewable energy sources for logistics vehicles, eco-friendly packaging materials, and waste reduction strategies in material handling. Contributions could also explore the role of circular economy principles in logistics, including methods for recycling or reusing materials within factories to minimize resource consumption. 
• Digital Twins in Logistics: Digital twin technology enables the real-time simulation and monitoring of logistics operations by creating a virtual replica of a physical logistics system. This research topic includes the development and application of digital twins for optimizing material flows, detecting and resolving potential issues before they occur, and improving decision making in logistics management. Contributions may include case studies of digital twin implementation in factory logistics or methodologies for creating accurate and scalable digital twin models. 
• Lean and Agile Logistics Approaches: The implementation of lean and agile principles in logistics aims to improve the responsiveness and flexibility of material handling processes. Contributions in this area could explore strategies to minimize waste, reduce inventory levels, and eliminate bottlenecks through continuous improvement methodologies like Just-In-Time (JIT), value stream mapping (VSM), and Kaizen. Agile logistics, on the other hand, focuses on how logistics systems can rapidly adapt to changes in production requirements or disruptions. Studies on hybrid models that combine lean and agile practices are also welcome. 
• Supply Chain Resilience: The ability of internal logistics systems to withstand and recover from disruptions is critical for maintaining the continuity of manufacturing processes. This topic includes research on strategies to increase supply chain resilience through flexible logistics systems, redundancy in material handling operations, and real-time risk management systems. Studies might explore how technologies such as AI, blockchain, and IoT technologies can be used to increase the visibility and responsiveness of internal logistics in the face of supply chain disruptions.

Prof. Dr. Maurizio Faccio
Dr. Yuval Cohen
Dr. Matthias Bues Bues
Guest Editors

Dr. Irene Granata
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• internal logistics
• material handling
• smart manufacturing
• automation
• supply chain resilience
• intra-factory transportation
• warehouse management systems (WMSs)